Environmental groups defend ESA, dismiss protests as agenda-driven

Environmental groups have pushed back against protests against the Ecological Sensitive Area (ESA) designation, asserting that the law's primary objective is to protect biodiversity and mitigate climate change impacts.

The groups contend that ESA restrictions will preserve ecosystems and shield communities from natural disasters while maintaining local livelihoods. They characterize the opposition as motivated by undisclosed agendas rather than genuine concerns about the policy's implementation.